2003 Chevrolet VENTURE: complaints, problems and recalls

CONSUMER STATED THE SLIDING DOOR WILL NOT STAY OPEN IN THE LOCKED POSITION.*JB SEAT BELT GUIDES HOLD SEAT BELT SO TIGHTLY IT DOES NOT RETRACT WHEN PULLED OUT. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002485 at NHTSA ↗

WE RENTED A 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE VAN IN KONA, HAWAII. AS A BACKSEAT PASSENGER ON THE SECOND DAY, I STARTED TO OPEN THE ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED DOOR BY THE HANDLE. IT PULLED MY ARM BACKWARDS TOO FAST FOR ME TO GET CLEAR. I SEVERELY SCRAPED AND BRUISED MY ARM AND TWISTED MY MIDDLE FINGER.*JB PE04064.PCO

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008114 at NHTSA ↗

CONSUMER INDICATED THAT THEIR YOUNG CHILD WAS ABLE TO TURN THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION. THEY WERE ALSO ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK TO NEUTRAL/REVERSE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. WHICH PER THE OWNER MANUAL VEHICLE CANNOT CHANGE GEAR UNLESS THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. THIS RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011946 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION AND THE SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015852 at NHTSA ↗

THE VEHICLES SIDE DOOR WAS HIT YET THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. 2,497 miles reported. Look up ODI 10015948 at NHTSA ↗

WINDSHIELD WIPERS ARE INADEQUATE IN COLD WEATHER. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BOTH SWING INTO THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IF IN THE OFF POSITION ONE SITS UNDER THE OTHER. BOTH WIPERS ARE HIDDEN UNDER THE HOOD. IT MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO CLEAN THE SNOW AND ICE THAT ACCUMULATES ON THEM. ALSO, BLADES WHEN IN THEIR OFF POSITION APPEAR NOT TO GET ANY VALUE FROM DEFROSTER HEAT. THUS, RUBBER BLADE IS COLD AND STIFF. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017737 at NHTSA ↗

NAR 05/21/2003 *MR 2003 CHEVROLET VENTURE AUTOMATIC DOORS ARE FAULTY, THE CONSUMER HANDS AND ARM WAS CAUGHT WHICH CAUSED BROKEN BONES, BRUISING AND SWELLING . *CB PE04064.PCO

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020380 at NHTSA ↗

BUTTON TO RELEASE LATCH ATTACHED TO THE CHEST BROKE, AND WILL NOT STAY TOGETHER. PLEASE FILL ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10021970 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2002-08-09 (August 9, 2002)

CERTAIN PASSENGER, MINI VANS, AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES HAVE AN AIR BAG INFLATOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE THAT COULD FRACTURE AT A WELD DURING A DEPLOYMENT.

Consequence: PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS AND THE AIR BAG CUSHION WOULD NOT INFLATE FULLY, REDUCING THE CAPABILITY OF THE BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND REPLACE, IF NECESSARY, THE AIR BAG MODULE ASSEMBLY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 15, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-442-6537, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)

ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, SOME OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE A DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG THAT MAY NOT DEPLOY AS DESIGNED. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG INFLATOR COULD RUPTURE.

Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN REDUCED CAPABILITY OF THE AIR BAG TO PROTECT THE DRIVER. ALSO IF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR RUPTURED, PIECES OF THE INFLATOR COULD STRIKE AND INJURE THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, INSTALL A NEW DRIVER'S AIR BAG. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON MARCH 11, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-800-521-7300, CADILLAC AT 1-800-458-8006, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-222-1020, GMC AT 1-800-462-8782, OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-762-2737.

Reported: 2003-07-15 (July 15, 2003)

CERTAIN MINIVANS, PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEM." THE OWNER'S MANUAL DOES NOT EXPLAIN THE MEANING OF THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT LOWER UNIVERSAL ANCHORAGE SYSTEM.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.

Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THEIR OWNER'S MANUAL. THIS SUPPLEMENT DESCRIBES AND SHOWS THE LOCATION SYMBOLS FOR THE CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORS THAT ARE LOCATED IN THE VEHICLE AND ON THE CHILD RESTRAINT OR BOOSTER CUSHION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, CADILLAC AT 1-866-982-2339, CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668, OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Reported: 2004-12-22 (December 22, 2004)

ON CERTAIN MINIVANS EQUIPPED WITH SECOND-ROW BUCKET SEATS OR CAPTAIN'S CHAIRS AND A POWER SLIDING DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, A PASSENGER USING THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR COULD BE INJURED.

Consequence: IF A PASSENGER USES THE INTERIOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE POWER SLIDING DOOR AND HOLDS ONTO THE HANDLE WHILE IT IS BEING OPENED BY THE MOTOR, THE PASSENGER'S ARM MAY BE PUSHED INTO THE SEAT BACK OR ARMREST AND A WRIST OR LOWER ARM INJURY MAY RESULT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE POWER SLIDING DOOR INTERIOR HANDLE ON THE PASSENGER-SIDE. IF THE VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A POWER OR MANUAL SLIDING DOOR ON THE DRIVER-SIDE, THE INTERIOR HANDLE WILL ALSO BE REPLACED FOR APPEARANCE REASONS. NOTE: BEFORE THE VEHICLE IS SERVICED, GM ADVISES OWNERS TO NOT USE THE INTERIOR DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR. THE DRIVER CAN OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR FROM SWITCHES AT THE DRIVER'S POSITION OR BY USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB. THE DRIVER SHOULD TELL PASSENGERS TO USE THE SWITCH LOCATED IN FRONT OF THE DOOR TO OPEN OR CLOSE IT. THE DRIVER SHOULD USE THE OVERRIDE SWITCH TO PREVENT OPERATION OF THE POWER DOOR BY CHILDREN OR BY OTHERS WHO ARE NOT FAMILIAR WITH ITS USE. THE OWNER NOTIFICATION LETTER MAILING WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON MAY 31, 2005. THE SECOND PHASE MAILING BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 31, 2005. PHASE 2 BEGAN ON JULY 18, 2005. PHASE 3 (FINAL PHASE) BEGAN ON AUGUST 24, 2005, TO ALL REMAINING CUSTOMERS. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668; OR OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

Reported: 2007-08-08 (August 8, 2007)

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, VARIATIONS IN THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OR EXPOSURE TO HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES MAY LEAD TO FRACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK INLET CHECK VALVE (ICV).

Consequence: A FRACTURE MAY ALLOW FUEL VAPORS TO PASS THROUGH AND ALLOW DROPLETS OF FUEL TO ACCUMULATE ON THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. FUEL LEAKAGE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK. THE RECALL WILL BE MAILED IN TWO PHASES WITH THE FIRST PHASE BEGINNING ON DECEMBER 4, 2007. THE SECOND PHASE WILL BE MAILED ON DECEMBER 13, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080; CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438; OR PONTIAC AT 1-800-620-7668. THE VEHICLE POPULATION INCLUDES BUICK RENDEZVOUS AND PONTIAC AZTEK VEHICLE BUILT IN MAY 2003; CHEVROLET VENTURE AND PONTIAC MONTANA VEHICLES BUILT FROM JUNE THROUGH AUGUST 2002; AND ALL VEHICLES REGISTERED IN NEVADA, ARIZONA, VIRGIN ISLANDS, PUERTO RICO, AND HAWAII.